Theresa May’s Chequers Brexit plan is a “historic mistake” that will result in national “humiliation” akin to that meted out by the EU on Greece.

GAME CHANGERS

Theresa May’s Chequers Brexit plan is a “historic mistake” that will result in national “humiliation” akin to that meted out by the EU on Greece, former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson wrote in the Telegraph.

The comments are his first substantial intervention on Brexit since his resignation from the Cabinet last month and amount to a full-frontal attack on the prime minister’s negotiating strategy with Brussels. They will spark concern in Downing Street that the leading Brexiteer, who is popular with party members, is lining up a leadership pitch at the Tory annual conference next month.

Johnson argued that the Greek bailout, which ended last week, has not shored up the euro, which he said “remains an unmitigated disaster.”

He wrote: “The experience of Greece alone is a lesson in the absolute insanity of any country allowing itself to be bullied by EU negotiators.”

Referring to the deal agreed by the Cabinet at the prime minister’s country residence, Chequers, which prompted his resignation and that of then-Brexit Secretary David Davis, Johnson said: “Under the Chequers proposals, we are about to make a historic mistake and turn this country into a rules-taker from Brussels, with no say on those rules — not just for industrial goods and agri-foods but across a wide range of economic activity.

“Look at the humiliation of Greece — an EU member — and ask yourself how the EU will legislate with the U.K. out of the room, and when we can no longer do anything to protect ourselves from the imposition of those rules.”